JP2006062617A - Airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device capable of consistently maintaining the engagement state of a lid with an instrument panel even in the inflation of an airbag. <P>SOLUTION: The airbag device comprises a panel body 1 which is installed inside an instrument panel 2 and provided in an opening part 2a of the instrument panel 2 so as to cover an upper face of an airbag module 5 to be ejected from an inflator 6 in a collision of an automobile, and a tear line 4 which is formed on a back side of the panel body 1 and torn by the inflation pressure of an airbag 7. A coupling means 3 to couple the panel body 1 so as not to be detached from the instrument panel 2 when the panel body 1 is torn from the tear line 4 by the inflation pressure of the airbag 7 is provided between a longitudinal side part 1a of the panel body 1 and an opening edge of the opening part 2a. The side part 1a is not dropped into the instrument panel 2 even when the panel body 1 is pushed up by the inflation pressure of the airbag 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag module including an airbag module that incorporates an airbag that protects an occupant from an impact when a vehicle collides, and an airbag device that covers a top surface of the airbag module.

  Conventionally, for example, an airbag device that protects an occupant seated in a passenger seat from an impact at the time of a collision has been installed on the inside of the instrument panel, and the upper surface of the airbag device is formed of a resin of the same material as the instrument panel. Some of them are covered by an interior panel.

  The panel body of such an interior panel has a tear line that tears when the airbag is inflated. Recently, a tear line is formed on the back side of the panel body, and the tear line appears on the surface of the panel body. By avoiding this, the design appearance of the instrument panel is improved, and an interior panel having a seamless structure in which a support formed by different resins is combined has become mainstream (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). .

  In the “airbag frame for a seamless instrument panel” described in Patent Document 1, the door flap of an airbag support assembly having a door flap supported by a flexible hinge member comes into contact with the back surface of the panel body. It is installed inside the instrument panel, and is pressed against the back surface of the panel body via the door flap by the inflation pressure of the airbag.

  As a result, the tear line formed on the back surface of the panel body tears and the door flap is pushed outward by the hinge member. Therefore, the inflated airbag is supported by the airbag with the door flap pushed open. It is deployed from the opening of the assembly to the occupant side so as to absorb the impact at the time of collision.

  In addition, the “airbag occupant protection device” described in Patent Document 2 is a mechanism that allows a predetermined range of displacement relative to the lid on the back surface of the lid that is provided so as to cover the opening that is opened in the instrument panel. It has a structure in which an airbag device is attached via a stopping means.

When the airbag is inflated when the automobile collides, the lid is engaged and held by the hook, the lid floats up from the instrument panel, etc., and then the tear line (thin part) formed on the back of the lid is cleaved and the air A bag is deployed on the occupant side to protect the occupant from impact during a collision.
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-507172 JP-A-7-117609

  However, the panel structure described in Patent Document 1 is configured by arranging one terminal of the instrument panel main body so as to overlap the back surface of the glove box. Since fixing this terminal portion is not taken into account, it may cause abnormal noise and lower sound, and a gap may be generated due to thermal contraction during or after assembly.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to combine the technique of providing an engaging claw that engages outward on the back surface of the lid described in Patent Document 2, but in this case, the instrument panel In fixing the terminal and the glove box, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise, lower sound, and the generation of gaps due to thermal contraction during or after assembly, but it is still insufficient.

  This is because the engaging claw engages outward, and the lid cannot prevent the gap between the lid and its mating member from expanding due to thermal contraction.

  In addition, if the length of the lid extending outward from the engaging claw is short, the hanging margin becomes short, and there is a possibility that the instrument panel (lid) may come off and fall when the instrument panel (lid) is pushed down with a strong force. is there.

  Therefore, if this hanging allowance is lengthened, it is possible to considerably eliminate the instrument panel (lid) coming off and falling into the instrument panel main body and falling into the inside, but on the other hand, the hanging allowance portion is likely to be violated by vibration etc. For this reason, abnormal sounds and lower-order sounds will increase, and the holding of the terminal will be insufficient due to the increase in the hook allowance, which is the same as that described in Patent Document 1 after all. Will remain unresolved.

  Further, in the panel structure described in Patent Document 2, a long hole c is formed in the locking piece b projecting from the back surface of the lid a as shown in FIG. The latching means (hook member) e thus engaged is engaged with the elongated hole c.

  Further, the claw f protruding from the rear surface of the peripheral edge of the lid a is configured to be locked from the inside to the opening edge of the opening h opened in the instrument panel g.

  When the airbag i is inflated, the back surface of the lid a is pressed upward as shown in FIG. 12 by the inflation pressure j of the airbag i, and the tear line k formed on the back surface of the lid a is cleaved. Since the lid a is formed of a considerably hard synthetic resin or the like so that there is no dent or the like during normal use like the instrument panel g, when the tear line k is about to be cleaved, The lid a was pushed up as shown in FIG. 13 with the peripheral edge as the fulcrum m, and the claw f locked to the instrument panel g might be disengaged from the opening edge of the instrument panel g.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag apparatus that stably holds the lid engaged with the instrument panel even when the airbag is inflated.

  An airbag apparatus according to the present invention includes an airbag module that is installed inside an instrument panel and has an airbag that is inflated and deployed by a high-pressure gas ejected from an inflator at the time of a collision of an automobile, and an upper surface of the airbag module. An airbag device comprising: a panel body attached to an opening of the instrument panel so as to cover; and a tear line formed on the back surface of the panel body and cleaved by the inflation pressure of the airbag, The panel body is fixed to the airbag module, and when the panel body is cleaved from the tear line by the inflation pressure of the airbag between the side of the panel body and the opening edge of the opening, the panel body Is provided with a coupling means for coupling so that it does not come off from the instrument panel. It is an butterfly.

  With the above configuration, normally, there is no gap between the panel main body and the opening edge of the instrument panel, and it is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise and low-level sound, and prevent the panel main body from entering, In addition, when the airbag is deployed, even if the inflation pressure of the airbag is applied to the panel body, the panel body does not come off from the instrument panel.

  In the airbag device of the present invention, the coupling means is formed of an insertion portion formed at the opening edge of the opening portion, and a protrusion piece protruding from the side portion of the panel body and inserted into the insertion portion. It is.

  With the above configuration, in addition to the above effects, the coupling means can be integrally formed when the instrument panel or the panel body is molded, so that the coupling means can be made inexpensive.

  In the airbag device of the present invention, the coupling means is formed of a locking hole formed at the opening edge of the opening and a clip protruding from the side of the panel body and engaged with the locking hole. It is a thing.

  With the above configuration, the panel main body can be fixed at a predetermined position simply by inserting the clip into the locking hole and pressing the panel main body, so that the assembling work is easy and the coupling means is an instrument panel or panel main body. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the coupling means at a low cost.

  According to the airbag apparatus of the present invention, in normal times, there is no gap between the panel body and the opening edge of the instrument panel, and it is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noises and lower sounds and to prevent the panel body from falling. In addition, even when the inflation pressure of the airbag is applied to the panel main body when the airbag is deployed, the panel main body is not detached from the instrument panel.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view of an airbag device having a panel body covering an airbag module installed inside an instrument panel, FIG. 2 is a back view of the panel body, and FIG. 3 is taken along line AA in FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the circle B in FIG. 3, and FIGS.

  The panel main body 1 constituting the automobile interior panel shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided so as to cover the opening 2a of the instrument panel 2 installed in the front part of the vehicle interior.

  The opening 2a of the instrument panel 2 is opened in front of a passenger seat (not shown), and coupling means 3 for fixing the panel body 1 to the opening 2a of the instrument panel 2 is provided at the inner periphery of the opening 2a. Is provided.

  The coupling means 3 provided on the instrument panel 2 side includes an insertion part 3a provided in the side part 1a before and after the opening edge.

  As shown in FIG. 4, these insertion portions 3a are formed of concave grooves that are recessed so as not to reach the bottom surface of the thick portion 2b from the top surface of the thick portion 2b formed on the side portion 1a of the opening edge. When the ment panel 2 is molded with resin, it is integrally formed, and a protruding piece 3b, which is a coupling means 3 on the panel body 1 side, is inserted into the insertion portion 3a in a press-fitted state.

  The projecting piece 3b is provided on the rear surface of the panel body 1 so as to coincide with the insertion portion 3a when the panel body 1 covers the opening 2a of the instrument panel 2.

  The panel body 1 is made of a resin of the same color and material as the instrument panel 2 such as polypropylene containing talc so as not to cause a sense of incongruity with the instrument panel 2 when attached to the opening 2a of the instrument panel 2. Since the peripheral portion of the panel body 1 is in contact with the concave step 2c formed around the opening 2a from above, no step is generated between the instrument panel 2 and the surface of the panel body 1. It is like that.

  On the back surface of the panel body 1, a tear line 4 is recessed in a substantially Japanese character shape.

  The tear line 4 is formed by a V-shaped groove and has a seamless design so that the tear line 4 does not appear on the surface of the panel body 1. A door provided on the backing member 5 a is provided on the back side of the panel body 1. The upper surface of the part 5j is fixed by an adhesive means such as vibration welding.

  The airbag module 5 has an upper retainer 5b and a lower retainer 5c formed of a metal plate, and an inflator 6 that ejects high-pressure gas is accommodated in the lower retainer 5c to constitute an airbag device 10.

  Locking claws 5d made of a plurality of hooks are fixed outwardly on the upper outer peripheral surface of the upper retainer 5b, and these locking claws 5d are formed in locking holes 5f formed in the flange portion 5e of the backing member 5a. Are locked from the inside of the flange portion 5e.

  The locking hole 5f is formed by a plurality of elongated holes that are elongated in the vertical direction, and the locking claw 5d is locked in the locking hole 5f, whereby the gap between the backing member 5a and the upper and lower retainers 5b, 5c is floated. In other words, the airbag 7 is loosely fitted and connected, and the airbag 7 is accommodated in the backing member 5a and the upper retainer 5b in a folded state.

  The airbag 7 is connected to a gas outlet (not shown) of the inflator 6 accommodated in the lower retainer 5c, and is inflated and deployed by the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator 6. The airbag module 5 is attached to the vehicle body by fixing the bracket 5g protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 5c to the fixing member 8 on the vehicle body side with the fixing tool 9.

  The backing member 5 a is integrally formed of a softer resin than the panel body 1, for example, an olefin-based elastomer, and has a plate-like door portion 5 j that is vibration welded to the back surface of the panel body 1, and the long side of the panel body 1. The frame 5m is connected to the door 5j by a plurality of hinges 5k divided in the direction, and the flange 5e is provided on the back surface of the frame 5m. The locking hole 5f is formed in the flange 5e. In addition, on the upper surface of the door portion 5j, a large number of protrusions (not shown) that are melted during vibration welding and function as an adhesive are provided in advance.

  The inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 5e is substantially collinear with the frame-like line 4a of the tear line 4 formed on the back surface of the panel body 1, and the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 5e to the protruding piece 3b of the panel body 1 is , 80 mm or less, preferably about 15 mm.

  The hinge 5k connected between the door portion 5j and the frame portion 5m is formed by thinning a part of the door portion 5j, but it breaks even when a larger external force is applied than the surface side of the panel main body 1. A tear line 4c made of a V-groove is formed at a position that coincides with the center line 4b of the tear line 4 at the center of the door portion 5j.

  The tear line 4c is covered with the panel body 1 and does not appear on the surface. Therefore, the tear line 4c may be formed on the surface side of the door portion 5j. The thickness is about 0.3 to 1.5 mm, preferably about 0.6 to 0.7 mm, and the tear lines 4a, 4b, and 4c are formed when the panel body 1 and the backing member 5a are molded. Alternatively, it may be formed by machining after molding.

  When attaching the airbag module 5 to the inside of the instrument panel 2, the upper surface of the door portion 5j and the frame portion 5m of the backing member 5a is previously brought into contact with the back surface of the panel main body 1 and positioned at a predetermined position. 1 and the backing member 5a are relatively vibrated, and the upper surface of the door portion 5j is vibration welded to the rear surface of the panel main body 1 to prepare the panel main body 1 in which both are integrated.

  Separately, a locking claw 5d protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the upper retainer 5b of the airbag module 5 in which the inflator 6 and the airbag 7 are accommodated in the upper and lower retainers 5b and 5c in advance is flanged to the locking hole 5f of the backing member 5a. It latches from the inside of the part 5e.

  And in this state, when covering the opening part 2a with the panel main body 1 from the surface side of the instrument panel 2, the protrusion 3b projected on the back surface of the panel main body 1 is press-fitted into the insertion part 3a on the instrument panel 2 side. The panel body 1 is coupled to the opening 2 a of the instrument panel 2 by the coupling means 3.

  After that, the bracket 5g protruding from the lower retainer 5c of the airbag module 5 is attached to the fixing member 8 on the vehicle body side by the fixing tool 9, but the space between the backing member 5a and the airbag module 5 is in a floating state. Even if the mounting position of the instrument panel 2 and the airbag module 5 varies, the variation can be absorbed, so that the mounting operation of the airbag module 5 can be easily performed in a short time, and the opening of the instrument panel 2 The adjustment work of the alignment gap with the part 2a is unnecessary.

  On the other hand, when the automobile collides, the impact is detected, the inflator is activated, and the airbag 7 starts to inflate, the door portion 5j of the backing member 5a is pushed up by the inflation pressure of the airbag 7 as shown in FIG.

  As a result, there is no gap D between the locking claw 5d engaged with the locking hole 5f of the backing member 5a and the lower end of the locking hole 5f, and the locking claw 5d is locked to the lower end of the locking hole 5f. Therefore, the backing member 5a is prevented from rising.

  Further, the panel body 1 is pushed up together with the backing member 5a by the inflation pressure of the airbag 7, and the protrusion 3b of the coupling means 3 tries to come out from the insertion portion 3a. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. The raising of the backing member 5a is prevented before 3b completely comes out of the insertion portion 3a.

  At this time, as shown by arrows in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side 1a of the panel body 1 receives a tensile force on the center 1b side of the panel body 1, but the movement or instrument of the side 1a is caused by the protruding piece 3b. Decline to the inside of the panel 2 is prevented.

  Thereafter, the airbag 7 is further inflated, so that the tear line 4c of the door portion 5j and the central line 4b portion of the tear line 4 of the panel body 1 are cleaved as shown in FIG. 7, so that the door portion 5j is centered on the hinge 5k. The panel body 1 is opened upward, and the side 1a is coupled to the opening edge of the opening 2a opened in the instrument panel 2 by the coupling means 3, so that the door 5j and the side of the panel body 1 are The portion 1a is deformed in a reverse “he” shape or in a bow shape, and the tear line 4 is smoothly broken with the side portion 1a and the flange portion 5e locked by the locking claw 5d as fulcrums. If the side 1a falls into the instrument panel 2, the bow-shaped deformation is reduced or hardly occurs, and the force for breaking the tear line 4 is not concentrated on the tear line. Although measures such as increasing the strength of the tear line and weakening the tear line will be required, it will be possible to reliably break by preventing the side 1a from being removed in this way, so a necessary and sufficient inflator is adopted. Also, it becomes possible to select a stable tear line breaking strength at the time of non-deployment even for an external force, and the airbag 7 continues to expand further by being opened upward around the front and rear sides of the frame-like line 4a of the tear line 4. However, it is deployed to the passenger side of the passenger seat to protect the passenger from impact.

  On the other hand, FIGS. 8 to 10 show a modification of the coupling means 3, and this modification will be described next.

  Note that the same parts as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The coupling means 3 shown in the modified example includes a plurality of clips 3c protruding from the lower surface of the side portion 1a of the panel body 1 and a plurality of clips formed on the front and rear edges of the opening 2a opened in the instrument panel 2. The engaging hole 3d.

  Each clip 3c protrudes downward, for example, at a position 15 mm away from the flange portion 5e of the backing member 5a, and a substantially hook-shaped claw body 3e protrudes from the tip portion.

  The locking hole 3d on the instrument panel 2 side is formed at a position that matches the clip 3c on the panel body 2 side. When the clip 3c is press-fitted into the locking hole 3d from above, the nail 3e at the tip of the clip 3c. Is locked to the opening edge of the locking hole 3d from below.

  Since the operation of the panel structure configured as described above is the same as that of the above-described embodiment except for the operation of the coupling means 3, the operation of the coupling means 3 will be briefly described.

  When the airbag 7 starts to inflate due to an impact when the automobile collides, the door portion 5j of the backing member 5a and the central portion of the panel body 1 are pushed up by the inflation pressure of the airbag 7, as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the side 1a of the panel body 1 is in a state of being coupled to the instrument panel 2 side by the coupling means 3 including the clip 3c and the locking hole 3d.

  Thereafter, when the airbag 7 is further inflated, similarly, the joint means 3 and the flange portion 5e are deformed in a uniform manner, and the tear line 4c of the door portion 5j and the center line 4b of the tear line 4 of the panel body 1 are smoothed by the inflation pressure. As shown in FIG. 10, the door 5j is opened upward with the hinge 5k as the center.

  As a result, the airbag 7 is further deployed to the passenger side of the passenger seat while continuing to inflate, thereby protecting the passenger from the impact.

  In the embodiment and the modification, the case of the airbag module 5 installed inside the instrument panel 2 has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an airbag device installed inside an interior panel other than the instrument panel 2. It is.

  The air bag device of the present invention normally does not generate a gap between the panel main body and the opening edge of the instrument panel, prevents the generation of abnormal noise and lower sounds, and prevents the panel main body from falling. In addition, when the airbag is deployed, the panel body does not come off from the instrument panel even if the inflation pressure of the airbag is applied to the panel body, thus protecting the occupant from the impact when the automobile collides. It is most suitable for an airbag apparatus having a panel body that covers the upper surface of the airbag module.

It is a perspective view of the airbag apparatus provided with the panel main body which covers the airbag module installed inside the instrument panel used as embodiment of this invention. It is a back view of the panel main body used for the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in a circle B in FIG. 3. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view in C circle of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is effect | action explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is effect | action explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional airbag apparatus. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the conventional airbag apparatus. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the conventional own airbag apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Panel main body 2 Instrument panel 2a Opening part 3 Coupling means 3a Insertion part 3b Projection piece 3c Clip 3d Locking hole 4 Tear line 5 Air bag module 5a Backing member 5b Upper retainer 5c Lower retainer 6 Inflator 7 Air bag device 10

Claims (3)

An airbag module having an airbag installed inside the instrument panel and inflated and deployed by a high-pressure gas ejected from an inflator at the time of an automobile collision, and the instrument panel so as to cover the upper surface of the airbag module An airbag device comprising: a panel body attached to an opening; and a tear line formed on a back surface of the panel body and cleaved by inflation pressure of the airbag, wherein the panel body is attached to the airbag module. When the panel body is cleaved from the tear line by the inflation pressure of the airbag between the side of the panel body and the opening edge of the opening, the panel body does not come off from the instrument panel An airbag device comprising a coupling means for coupling to the airbag device. The coupling means is formed by an insertion portion formed at an opening edge of the opening, and a projecting piece protruding from a side portion of the panel body and inserted into the insertion portion. The airbag apparatus as described. The coupling means is formed by a locking hole formed at an opening edge of the opening, and a clip protruding from a side portion of the panel body and engaged with the locking hole. The airbag apparatus according to 1.

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